Uncategorized
Genomics Pioneer and Life Sciences Entrepreneur J. Craig Venter Dies at 79
![j. Craig Venter, PhD [Heather Kowalski]](https://www.genengnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/POV-Venter-jl-1-e1751379960489-1068x932-1-1024x894.jpg)
J. Craig Venter, PhD, the founder, board chair, and CEO of the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) has died in San Diego following a brief hospitalization for unexpected side effects that arose from the treatment of a recently diagnosed cancer, reported the JCVI in a press statement.
Venter helped define modern genomics and launch the field of synthetic biology. He was skillful in building interdisciplinary teams, pushing for new ideas and faster methods, and insisting that discovery should translate into real-world impact. He was also a major advocate for strong federal science funding and for partnerships that accelerate progress across government, academia, and industry.
“Craig believed that science moves forward when people are willing to think differently, move decisively, and build what doesn’t yet exist,” said Anders Dale, PhD, president of JCVI. “His leadership and vision reshaped genomics and helped ignite synthetic biology. We will honor his legacy by continuing the mission he built—advancing genomic science, championing the public investments that make discovery possible, and partnering broadly to turn knowledge into impact.”
“Venter has been recognized as an essential force in the impetus to evolve genomics from a slow, academic discipline into a fast-moving, data-driven, and commercially relevant enterprise, leaving a lasting imprint on biotechnology, medicine, and synthetic biology,” says John Sterling, GEN’s Editor in Chief, who has known and worked editorially with Venter over the past 35 years.
“Venter was controversial and often challenged the scientific orthodoxy, with critics accusing him of hype and going overboard on privatization. To many, he was a visionary focusing on technological acceleration and blending academic science with the zeal of an entrepreneur. Supporters saw him as a pioneer who sped up genomics by years.”
At the NIH, he played a key role in driving gene discovery using expressed sequence tags (ESTs), enabling rapid identification of large numbers of human genes and accelerating genome mapping efforts. He went on to lead efforts that, along with the NIH, produced the first draft sequences of the human genome, a milestone that helped usher biology into the digital age. He and colleagues later published the first high-quality diploid human genome, demonstrating the importance of capturing genetic variation inherited from both parents.
In synthetic biology, the Venter group constructed the first self-replicating bacterial cell controlled by a chemically synthesized genome—proof that genomes could be designed digitally, built from chemical components, and “booted up” to run a living cell. He also pursued scientific discovery at global scale.
Through the Sorcerer II Global Ocean Sampling Expedition, metagenomics was used to reveal amazing microbial diversity, reporting the discovery of millions of new genes and expanding the known universe of protein families—work that deepened understanding of the ocean microbiome and its impact on planetary systems.
Beyond his scientific achievements, and in addition to founding the JCVI, he also co-founded Synthetic Genomics, Human Longevity, and most recently Diploid Genomics, advancing efforts to translate genomics and synthetic biology into tools for the benefits of human health and environmental sustainability.
The post Genomics Pioneer and Life Sciences Entrepreneur J. Craig Venter Dies at 79 appeared first on GEN – Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
Uncategorized
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Pfizer’s emergency penicillin program, a Sanofi diabetes drug, and more
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating because that oh-too-familiar routine of meetings, deadlines, and the like has returned with a vengeance. But what can you do? The world, such as it is, continues to spin. So time to give it a little nudge in a better direction by firing up our spiffy new kettle — the last one overheated — for a cup of stimulation. Given this is the start of the week, we are reaching for Jack Daniels. Yes, this is a real option for aspiring connoisseurs. Feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits to help you along. Best of luck accomplishing your goals today, and of course, do keep in touch. …
The Trump administration proposed to change a policy that is designed to prevent drugmakers from avoiding Medicare price negotiation by adding active ingredients to drugs, STAT tells us. The policy is part of an annual proposed rule that establishes the process that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services uses to choose the next 20 drugs and biologics for price negotiation. Those drugs will be announced by Feb. 1, 2027, and their negotiated prices will take effect in 2029. Iif a company adds a second drug to one that is eligible for negotiation, the FDA considers the resulting combination drug a new product, giving it additional time before price negotiation. Now, the administration is proposing to subject certain types of combination biologics to negotiation in some cases.
German Health Minister Nina Warken said that drugmakers will not be exempted from cost-cutting measures, after some companies warned they may be unable to launch innovative medicines in Europe unless governments agree to pay more than they historically have, Reuters writes. Proposed legislation in Germany will cap rapidly growing costs in the statutory health insurance system. Warken said she realizes many drug companies are under pressure, and the planned legislation is not going to bring them any extra revenue. But she maintained Germany remains an attractive location for the pharmaceutical industry thanks to reimbursement under the statutory health insurance scheme and opportunities for clinical trials. So exempting the industry from the proposed legislation is out of the question.
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating because that oh-too-familiar routine of meetings, deadlines, and the like has returned with a vengeance. But what can you do? The world, such as it is, continues to spin. So time to give it a little nudge in a better direction by firing up our spiffy new kettle — the last one overheated — for a cup of stimulation. Given this is the start of the week, we are reaching for Jack Daniels. Yes, this is a real option for aspiring connoisseurs. Feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits to help you along. Best of luck accomplishing your goals today, and of course, do keep in touch. …
The Trump administration proposed to change a policy that is designed to prevent drugmakers from avoiding Medicare price negotiation by adding active ingredients to drugs, STAT tells us. The policy is part of an annual proposed rule that establishes the process that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services uses to choose the next 20 drugs and biologics for price negotiation. Those drugs will be announced by Feb. 1, 2027, and their negotiated prices will take effect in 2029. Iif a company adds a second drug to one that is eligible for negotiation, the FDA considers the resulting combination drug a new product, giving it additional time before price negotiation. Now, the administration is proposing to subject certain types of combination biologics to negotiation in some cases.
German Health Minister Nina Warken said that drugmakers will not be exempted from cost-cutting measures, after some companies warned they may be unable to launch innovative medicines in Europe unless governments agree to pay more than they historically have, Reuters writes. Proposed legislation in Germany will cap rapidly growing costs in the statutory health insurance system. Warken said she realizes many drug companies are under pressure, and the planned legislation is not going to bring them any extra revenue. But she maintained Germany remains an attractive location for the pharmaceutical industry thanks to reimbursement under the statutory health insurance scheme and opportunities for clinical trials. So exempting the industry from the proposed legislation is out of the question.
Uncategorized
STAT+: Where ‘democracy met science,’ 50 years ago
Get your daily dose of health and medicine every weekday with STAT’s free newsletter Morning Rounds. Sign up here.
Good morning. At a Cambridge bar on Saturday, I watched straight-seeming couples congregate by a television showing basketball, while a more queer-coded crowd lingered at another showing soccer. I don’t think that’s anything, really, but it was fun.
This ‘never event’ is happening more frequently
A child born with congenital syphilis could suffer dire consequences: bone deformities, brain damage, blindness, deafness, and more. But that should be a ‘never event’ as public health officials say: A pregnant person can receive an injectable form of penicillin to prevent the infection. Somehow, rates keep going up anyway. Between 2012 and 2024, the U.S. saw an 800% increase in babies born with the disease. And since last year, there’s been a shortage of the drug.
Get your daily dose of health and medicine every weekday with STAT’s free newsletter Morning Rounds. Sign up here.
Good morning. At a Cambridge bar on Saturday, I watched straight-seeming couples congregate by a television showing basketball, while a more queer-coded crowd lingered at another showing soccer. I don’t think that’s anything, really, but it was fun.
This ‘never event’ is happening more frequently
A child born with congenital syphilis could suffer dire consequences: bone deformities, brain damage, blindness, deafness, and more. But that should be a ‘never event’ as public health officials say: A pregnant person can receive an injectable form of penicillin to prevent the infection. Somehow, rates keep going up anyway. Between 2012 and 2024, the U.S. saw an 800% increase in babies born with the disease. And since last year, there’s been a shortage of the drug.
Sanofi makes no mention of the Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher. Tzield was awarded the ticket in October 2025, but Sanofi requested withdrawal from the program after former CDER head Tracy Beth Høeg reportedly expressed skepticism of the drug.
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
Mod turns ‘Counter-Strike’ into a ‘Tekken’ clone with fighting chickens
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
Disney’s live-action Aladdin finally finds its stars
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Pfizer’s emergency penicillin program, a Sanofi diabetes drug, and more
STAT+: Where ‘democracy met science,’ 50 years ago
Sanofi wins type 1 diabetes nod for Tzield after requesting to revoke CNPV
Rhythm’s obesity drug scores ‘better than expected’ weight loss in rare genetic disease
Lilly sees quick return on $2.3B Ajax buy as blood cancer drug shows early efficacy
Celiac disease is entering a new era of therapeutic innovation
Illinois’ financial crisis could bring the state to a halt
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
New Season 8 Walking Dead trailer flashes forward in time
Mod turns ‘Counter-Strike’ into a ‘Tekken’ clone with fighting chickens
Meet Superman’s grandfather in new trailer for Krypton
Disney’s live-action Aladdin finally finds its stars
-
Uncategorized9 years agoThese ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
-
Uncategorized9 years ago
According to Dior Couture, this taboo fashion accessory is back
-
Endpoints News3 months ago
Novartis to pay $2B upfront to take next-gen PI3Kα inhibitor from Synnovation
-
Uncategorized9 years ago
Phillies’ Aaron Altherr makes mind-boggling barehanded play
-
Uncategorized9 years ago
Uber and Lyft are finally available in all of New York State
-
Contributors9 years ago
The final 6 ‘Game of Thrones’ episodes might feel like a full season
-
Uncategorized9 years ago
Steph Curry finally got the contract he deserves from the Warriors
-
Uncategorized9 years ago
The old and New Edition cast comes together to perform